A GREEN Turtle is recovering at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) at uShaka Sea World in Durban’s Point Area. An X-ray revealed that the turtle may have ingested plastic pollution.
According to SAAMBR spokesperson Ann Kunz, the diagnostics report revealed that the turtle was suffering from dehydration and gas trapped in her intestinal tract which could indicate a plastic obstruction in the gut.
“Her treatment thus far has included supportive fluids as well as antibiotics, and we are keeping a close eye on her gut movement. She is receiving a lot of TLC from the turtle rehabilitation team and seems to have turned a corner and is starting to look stronger,” said Kunz.
Kunz said the female green turtle was found in distress by a member of the public in Amanzimtoti earlier this week.
“[The turtle] appeared very weak and carried many goose barnacles on her shell. Barnacles often hitch a free ride on sea turtles and vessels, but these can weigh down small turtles and often indicate that the turtle might be health-compromised,” said Kunz, adding that eThekwini law enforcement officers assisted with getting this little turtle admitted to the SAAMBR Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World.
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SAAMBR estimates that the turtle is about 18 months old.
“She most likely hatched on one of the islands in the Mozambique channel. Green turtles are widely distributed in tropical and sub-tropical ocean waters, but are under threat,” said Kunz.
The turtle has been affectionately named Ohana, which means family – and the turtle has been heartily welcomed into the SAAMBR family.
“Although I fall in love with each and every turtle that is brought into our care, some turtles manage to creep a little deeper into my heart, and Ohana is one of them,” said lead quarantine aquarist Malini Pather.
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